MME has an option. That is to cut its costs. If you want to see an efficient small efficient airport you have to look at Linkoping City Airport. First of all, it's name is a give away. It is less than a five minutes from the city centre. So name the airport properly. Darlington Municipal Aerodrome would be an improvement but you'll probably find that Teesside would be better. Next, look at the staff. At Linkoping they have multiple functions. Loaders clean, check in, do marshalling, fire cover, and security etc. They can't afford to have people sitting in offices "managing". There is one small cafeteria and a self service shop. There are no facilities (except for clean loos) beyond security so all secondary revenues are generated landside which gives the place a bit if a buzz, even if just for one flight. But more importantly, you are also made to feel welcome.
However, at MME I get the impression that passengers are a nuisance and airlines are worse. Security treat people with contempt and crews as terrorists. And as you walk through the leaky, dirty, dilapidated, empty toilet of a terminal you wonder why you paid the £6 Passenger Facility Fee. I doesn't take long for you to realise that you could have driven a few miles more and gone to a real airport.
PM